Final Accord up in time in G3 Matron
Final Accord, patiently handled by Junior Alvarado, got up in the final jumps to capture Thursday’s Grade 3, $175,000 Matron, a six-furlong outer turf sprint for juvenile fillies, at Belmont at the Big A.
Trained by Hall of Famer Mark Casse for Gary Barber and Peter Deutsch, the War of Will bay entered from a prominent 4 1/4-length debut maiden win versus males in a five-furlong turf sprint on September 11 at Woodbine. On Thursday, Final Accord rallied from off the pace to make her stakes debut a winning one.
“We expected there was going to be a big pace duel up front and Junior was patient. When he asked her to go, she had it in the tank. I’m excited she was able to rate and finish strong,” Deutsch said. “I’ve got the great Mark Casse and his incredible team behind us, and he’s got a good eye for horses. This horse has been training great, and he’s been patient with her as well. I think there’s a lot of upside and I’m really excited with where we are.”
Catalonia showed the way in the early stages before Should’ve, who stumbled at the start, was hustled to the front by Hall of Famer Joel Rosario to mark the opening quarter-mile in 22.14 seconds over the firm turf. Final Accord settled into fifth position between Just Philtored and Royal Testament before Alvarado took the filly back along the rail as Catalonia pressed Should’ve through a half-mile in 44.60 with Royal Testament looming large late in the turn.
Alvarado tipped Final Accord off the rail as the field straightened away and the filly found her best stride late, surging to the outside of the Eric Cancel-piloted Royal Testament and rallying past Should’ve while in hand to score the one-length victory in a final time of 1:08.47.
“Even though Joel's horse broke a little slow, I guess it kind of helped because then he rushed up the rail, and I just tried to ride my filly, whatever we get, that's good and she ended up getting the whole pie,” Alvarado said. “She finished up very well.
"Kind of gave her a breather in the turn, then finished up with a good run there at the end,” Alvarado added.
Royal Testament completed the exacta by a nose over Should’ve with Catalonia, Just Philtored, Bella Knows, Snappy Comeback and Y’allreadyforthis rounding out the order of finish. Oscar’s Encore, Snow Face Princess, Valala, and Believe in Magic, who is cross-entered in Saturday’s Grade 2 Miss Grillo here, were scratched.
Cancel said the George Weaver-trained Royal Testament, who entered from a frontrunning win in the Rosie's at Colonial Downs, had a perfect trip behind rivals.
“When I asked my filly to give me a run, she went on with it,” Cancel said. “It was just unfortunate that the horse who won went by us like nothing in the stretch. I'm happy with our performance and hopefully she keeps improving."
Final Accord earned a 79 Beyer Speed Figure for her debut score under apprentice Pietro Moran at Woodbine. Alvarado, aboard for the first time in the afternoon, said his filly was leaning in a little bit in the lane.
“She didn't do nothing like that last time, today she kind of leaned in when going by,” Alvarado said. “Then she got to the front and I felt her put the brakes on me there, but I'll take it as a good sign because there is a lot more to move forward from that."
Deutsch said he’ll speak with the rest of the team before deciding on a next start for Final Accord. Casse won this event last year with Abientot, who went on to finish off-the-board in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf.
“We wanted to really see how she took to today’s race and I’ll sit with Mark and my partner Gary Barber and have a nice conversation about where the next spot is. We’re optimistic and excited,” Deutsch said.
Bred in Kentucky by Robert Hoeweler, Final Accord banked $96,250 in victory. The $75,000 Keeneland September Yearling Sale purchase returned $13.76 for a $2 win bet.
Final Accord is out of the winning Blame mare Closing Statement, a half-sister to Complicated, dam of Grade 1-winner And One More Time and multiple graded stakes-winners Simply In Front and Honor D Lady. Her second dam, Consequence, was Grade 2-placed sprinting seven furlongs over synthetic.
Live racing resumes Friday at Belmont at the Big A with a nine-race card featuring a pair of Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” events on turf for 2-year-olds in the Grade 2, $200,000 Pilgrim [Juvenile Turf] at 1 1/16-miles in Race 8 and the Grade 3, $175,000 Futurity [Juvenile Turf Sprint] at six furlongs in Race 6. First post is 1:10 p.m. Eastern.
America’s Day at the Races will present live coverage and analysis of the Belmont at the Big A fall meet on the networks of FOX Sports. For the broadcast schedule and channel finder, visit https://www.nyra.com/aqueduct/racing/tv-schedule/.
NYRA Bets is the official wagering platform of Belmont at the Big A, and the best way to bet every race of the fall meet. Available to horse players nationwide, the NYRA Bets app is available for download today on iOS and Android at www.NYRABets.com.